by Deborah Nelson
So often we succumb to our cravings. We have a bad day, feel lonely, sad or mad, or a combination of all. One common solution is to “treat” ourselves to “comfort” food, such as cookies, ice cream or fast food. Most of the time, however, that comfort is short-lived, but we have succeeded in putting junk into our bodies. Then, we feel even worse, beating ourselves up with guilt for not sticking to a more healthy diet. It is an awful cycle– does it sound familiar?
Food can be a real tool to help manage how we feel. Proper nutrients are absolutely needed to fuel our bodies, but healthy foods can actually pick you up and make you feel better. Once you recognize this additional benefit, it becomes easier to not allow an upsetting event ruin your entire day and/or night. Knowing that the highs and lows of junk food can make you feel worse is the first step in limiting their role in your diet.
Being single is definitely one factor which tests us nutritionally. Often, it feels like it is hardly worth “cooking for one.” However, it is extremely important to fuel your body properly, especially as a single person who wants to feel and look their best!
Remember, what you eat goes into your body and then is carried around your system to feed every single cell in you. And food feeds your emotions too. Did you know that? It also impacts your sex drive!
Sugar and fast food cause havoc inside us and can make you miserable as your blood sugar rises and falls. Worse, your bodies are trained over time to expect more “easy to metabolize” junk calories, and when you do not get them, the cravings for them can be maddening.
I could go on and on about this topic, but for today, let’s start you on a healthy path with an easy and wonderful soup recipe that can be made as spicy or mild as you like and which adds a powerful nutritional punch. Enjoy!
Spicy Mexican Tortilla Soup (serves 4-6)
Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, sliced
32 oz veggie broth
1 can chopped tomatoes or salsa
(I use medium heat salsa)
1 can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
juice of 3 limes
1/2 avocado
1/2 small bunch of cilantro
1 tablespoon of chipotle sauce (not required if you use salsa)
1/4 cup of shredded
Mexican cheese
handful of tortilla chips
Directions:
Sauté onion and garlic until
lightly brown.
Add broth, tomatoes, black beans and cook until warmed through about 8 minutes.
Add frozen corn, lime juice and chipotle and cook for a few
more minutes.
Add cilantro and avocado and cook until the avocado is warm.
Spoon into bowls and add a few tortilla chips into the bowl
before serving.
Deborah Nelson, who lived in Chappaqua for several years, is the author of the “From Rainy Days to Sexy Nights Cookbook.” A certified Holistic Health Counselor, Deborah has counseled thousands of women and men on how to make significant changes in their lives. Visit
www.saucywellness.com and get your free report, “From Sugar to Sex–10 simple, saucy secrets that will transform your life now!”
